AMP research centres provide key element to new elite Technology and Innovation Centres

posted 21 Mar 2011, 03:27 by RiDO Rotherham

World leading research centres at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham are amongst those announced as part of the country's first Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC), as the Government underscored its commitment to world leading manufacturing in the UK.

The University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing and the Nuclear AMRC, are named as part of the new High Value Manufacturing TIC, which will be formed from a group of seven research and technology facilities from across the country.

It will provide an integrated capability and embrace all forms of manufacture using metals and composites, in addition to process manufacturing technologies and bio-processing. It will draw on excellent university research to accelerate the commercialisation of new and emerging manufacturing technologies.

This is the first of an elite network of Technology and Innovation Centres that will be established by the Technology Strategy Board with over £200m of Government investment overall. Other centres will be founded and announced in due course, each in technology areas of high growth potential.

Today’s announcement is a key part of the Government’s Growth Review, targeting the expansion of Britain’s manufacturing sector and positioning the UK as Europe’s leading exporter of high value goods. To accompany the announcement Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg and Business Secretary, Vince Cable toured the AMRC’s Rolls Royce Factory of the Future facility.

The Deputy Prime Minister said:

“The announcement of the first Technology and Innovation Centre is a major early milestone in our ambition to rebalance the economy. It will bring significant benefits to Rotherham, Teesside, Glasgow, Coventry, Warwick and Bristol, and to the country as a whole. I believe that the UK should be at the forefront of science, engineering and manufacturing, and the £200m we have committed to centres like this over the next four years is a symbol of the Government’s commitment to supporting this.

“I am confident that the High Value Manufacturing Technology and Innovation Centre will blaze a trail for British industry, showing how our country’s hard work, invention and expertise can be exploited to lead us through the economic recovery into a prosperous future.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“Manufacturing is vital to the country’s economic stability and our potential to achieve growth. It generates £140 billion a year, accounting for 55 per cent of total UK exports – but it has considerably greater potential. That’s why I am throwing my weight behind this package - to help Britain reach its potential.

“The Technology Innovation Centres will help to equip UK industry with the ability to capitalise on the future global market opportunities by drawing on leading edge research and will form a key part of the Government’s work to rebalance the UK economy and create new high-value private sector jobs.”

“The investment in the new centre will further bridge the gap between universities and businesses, helping to commercialise the outputs of Britain's world-class research base.”